Abstract: A holder for tools, instruments and the like has a base surface juxtaposed with a countersurface, the base surface being provided with an array of elastically deformable bristles, e.g. on an artificial turf strip cemented to one of the surfaces, for engaging the objects inserted into the holder.

Abstract: Footwear is provided for added comfort to the wearer by facilitating the removal and dissipation of perspiration from the foot of the wearer. The footwear has a knitted sock and a shoe in combination. The knitted sock has a toe portion formed of hydrophilic knit fabric and an instep portion adjacent the toe portion formed of hydrophobic knit fabric. Perspiration from the toe portion of the foot of the wearer is absorbed by the knit hydrophilic toe portion of the knitted sock and wicked therefrom by the hydrophobic knit instep portion of the knitted sock. The shoe has a tongue portion overlying and contacting the hydrophobic knit instep portion of the knitted sock. The tongue portion of the shoe has overlying inner and outer fabric layers formed of hydrophilic fabric and an intermediate fabric layer positioned between the overlying inner and outer hydrophilic fabric layers.

Abstract: A thermal barrier in the form of a base material with a plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material forms an insulative pad, such as a shoe insole. The microcapsules are surroundingly encapsulated and embedded within the base material. In addition, substantially all of the microcapsules are spaced apart from each other, the space between neighboring adjacent microcapsules containing a phase change material. The microcapsules may be anisotropically distributed to further reduce thermal conductivity of heat through the thermal barrier.

Abstract: New application of biomechanical principles of elastic stretch and braking force are combined in an athletic shoe. The new design implements the concepts by placing the heel significantly lower than the ball of the foot and toes. Tests show that an inner sole reverse slope of about 31/2.degree. provides an optimum significant improvement in jumping in particular. The reverse slope is substantially flat from the center of pressure beneath the heel to the five centers of pressure beneath the ball of the foot. The flat slope provides more assurance that the weight of the user will be applied to the shoe through the centers of pressure in preference to locations under the arch. The invention is applicable to "explosive" movement sports such as basketball, track and field, volleyball, tennis and soccer. Preferably the shoes are constructed with formed or curved heels to retain the feet properly positioned in the shoes by preventing the feet from sliding too far back within the shoes.

Abstract: A ski boot comprising a lower shell (1) on which a boot leg (5) in the form of a collar fitted with tightening buckles (6, 7) is articulated. At the rear, the boot leg (5) is provided with a slot (9) extending, from the upper edge, over most of its height. This slot has overthicknesses (12, 13) of matching profile which are fitted into each other under the effect of a slide (20) whose movement closes and opens the slot in the manner of a zipper. This construction allows wide opening of the boot leg for putting the boot on the taking it off.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming a sole of a shoe includes a support structure and a shoe carriage mounted on the support structure. The shoe carriage is constructed and arranged for mounting a shoe thereon and is movable along x and z axes. A sensing station is mounted on the support structure, the sensing station having a detector for detecting the exact outline of the shoe upper with respect to the sole. A cutting station is mounted on the support structure for trimming the sole of the shoe with a first cutter. The first cutter is movable along a y axis and rotatable about a t axis. A microprocessor controls the movement of the carriage between a starting position, the sensing station, the cutting station and back to the starting position and controls the operation and movement of the first cutter for trimming the sole of the shoe when the shoe is in the cutting station. A process for trimming a sole of a shoe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sneaker with built in atomizer for improved traction having a sole, an upper, a tongue and laces; an atomizer located in the upper tongue of the sneaker with built in atomizer for improved traction, the atomizer being formed in a hemispherical configuration with a valve and aperture centrally located on the upper surface thereof, the atomizer adapted to urge air therefrom upon depression and to allow the refilling thereof with air upon release of the atomizer, the atomizer including a first line coupling the interior of the atomizer with the input port of the reservoir whereby pressure within the atomizer is increased upon the depression of the atomizer; and a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the bottom of the sole of the sneaker with built in atomizer for improved traction and a second line extending from the nozzle through the output to a lower region of the interior of the reservoir whereby when the atomizer increases the pressure within the reservoir, the fluid therein will move through the outp

Abstract: Athletic and other footwear has an upper and also an insole, a midsole and an outsole in successive layers. The midsole may be made from a flexible material (e.g. polyurethane or EUA) and may be shaped to conform to the shapes of the insole and the outsole. A cavity in the midsole at a forefoot position extends from the top surface to a position near the bottom surface of the midsole. The cavity may extend downwardly and rearwardly at an angle of approximately 10.degree.-45.degree., preferably approximately 15.degree. to the horizontal. The cavity may be undercut to provide a recess at the bottom of the cavity. A spring disposed in the cavity may have a slightly concave configuration in the cavity. The spring may have a flat configuration at the opposite ends of the spring in the longitudinal direction. The spring may be made from a fabric material woven with a warp and a fill and impregnated with a resin material.

Abstract: A shoe construction for cushioning the foot includes a dual density sole having a cavity in the upper surface thereof. The cavity includes an overlapping peripheral edge which engages and interlocks with the biased edge of a nippled insert mounted therein. A midsole having a forefoot cushion overlays the dual density sole and insert combination. An optional cushioning insole and shock-absorbing heel cup increase the comfort of the sole construction.

Abstract: A shoe having a closure system is disclosed. The shoe has an upper and a sole attached to the upper. A first strap member is attached to the medial side of the shoe at two longitudinal locations. A second strap member is attached to the lateral side of the shoe at two longitudinal locations. A first adjusting member is slidably coupled to both the first and second strap members. The first adjusting member is slidable along the first and second strap members towards the front of the foot to tighten the upper about the forefoot of the foot. A second strap member is slidably coupled to both the first and second strap members. The second adjusting member is slidable along the first and second strap members toward the rear of the foot to tighten the upper about the ankle and heel of the foot.

Abstract: A cleated athletic shoe having a crisscross arch reinforcement extending between selected cleats on the sole of the shoe. An athletic shoe having a lacing arrangement in which the series of eyelets on the instep portion of the shoe are asymmetrical with the series of eyelets on the outstep portion of the shoe.

Abstract: A convertible shoe for multipurposes includes an upper and a sole attached to the upper. A flap is attached to the shoe and the flap has a ground engaging element disposed thereon. The flap has a first position wherein the flap is positioned in an overlying relationship to the upper and a second position wherein it is positioned in an overlying relationship to the sole such that the ground engaging element can contact the surface upon which the sole is being used.

Abstract: A beverage package having a blow molded plastic container of a single resin that is filled with a beverage product and sealed. The sealed container is wrapped in an oxygen barrier film to prevent oxygen from contacting the container and permeating through the container wall and thereby spoiling the beverage. The wrap is separable from the container before the beverage is consumed resulting in two separate, single material components for easy recycling. The molded container includes an upright side wall having a recessed groove sized to receive and store a telescoping straw for use in drinking the contents of the container.

Abstract: A tap dance shoe and method for attaching a tap to a dance shoe includes securing a single T-nut in a fiber board and then installing the combined T-nut and fiber board assembly on the sole of the shoe. The shoe may have a preformed hole for receiving the T-nut. The fiber board is attached to the sole by nailing, for example. The fiber board has a fixture formed thereon for positioning a tap relative to the sole of the shoe. The tap has a hole for aligning with the T-nut and also an engaging member for accommodating the fixture formed on the fiber board. Once the fiber board is secured to the sole, the tap is located on the fiber board by mating the fixture with the engaging member of the tap. The tap is secured to the shoe and fiber board by inserting a single screw into the single T-nut and tightening. An adhesive resin and a spring can be applied to a threaded portion of the screw to securely hold the tap on the sole of the shoe.

Abstract: Alpine ski boot comprising a shell base (5) surmounted by an upper (2) made of one or several parts (3,4) which pivots at least partially from back to front. The boot comprises a device (35) for releasably locking the shell base (5), which device consists of a stop (13) on the shell base and a pivoting lever (11) forming a rocker device jointed to a pin (12) arranged on the rear portion (4) of the upper (2) and capable of locking the upper by cooperating with the stop (13) when acted upon by a control device (10) accessible from the outside of the boot. The locking position of this device corresponds to an initial adjustable forward extension position from which the upper (2) can pivot angularly in relation to the shell base (5).

Abstract: A sports boot, especially for cross-country skiing or walking, including an upper, a reinforcement extending at least vertically upwardly on each side of the heel, and a rigid collar encircling at least the ankle, and connected by its sides to the reinforcement, by two anchoring systems located on each corresponding side of the foot, and enabling the rotation of the collar along a substantially transverse axis with respect to the upper of the boot. At least one of the anchoring systems is effective for varying the position of the corresponding side of the collar with respect to the reinforcement, for enabling the inclination of the collar with respect to the median vertical plane of the boot and/or the rotation of the collar around a substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: A packaging unit for pipette tips that have at their back ends a push-on sleeve having an annular edge. A planar, plate-shaped, thin carrier that is rectangular in plan view has on its top side a layer of a pressure adhesive. The pipette tips are detachably glued on the carrier by their annular edges in equidistant rows and columns.

Abstract: A new lipstick case for containing a plurality of tubes of lipstick to organize and protect the lipstick while being carried in a handbag or the like is disclosed. The lipstick case comprises a holder formed of resilient transparent plastic (either hard or soft plastic) having a plurality of vertically aligned open-top elongated chambers therein. The chambers each have dimensions to snugly receive an outer protective tube of a conventional cosmetic lipstick. The lipstick is inverted within the chamber such that the base of the lipstick may be readily viewed and easily grasped by a user to withdraw the coloring medium from the protective outer tube while retaining the tube within the chamber. A top closure flap is integrally transversely formed on the holder whereby lipstick tubes contained therein are prevented from inadvertently falling out of the chambers. A fastener for holding the top closure flap closed is also included.

Abstract: An adjustable shoe heel spring and stabilizer device provides the wearer of a shoe the ability to adjust the energy absorption and return characteristics of the shoe to suit their particular needs. An operable adjustment device is located on an exterior surface of the shoe. The wearer operates the adjustment device to selectively position a fulcrum at a desired location relative to upper and lower members of a spring mechanism disposed within the mid-sole of the shoe. The position of the fulcrum defines the energy absorption and return characteristics for the shoe. An indicator is provided for displaying to the wearer the relative position of the fulcrum, and hence the energy absorption and return setting for the shoe.

Abstract: A compact disc carrying case including an upper cover having a first hole at a front corner and a second hole at both rear corners, a lower cover slidably engaged with said upper cover and having a first cylindrical member with a counterbored hole at both rear corners and a second cylindrical member with a through hole at a front corner, a disk holder pivotally connected with the cylindrical member of the lower cover and having a retainer at a center, a securing bolt having a threaded rod and a head with a threaded hole and inserted into the counterbored hole of the lower cover, whereby a plurality of carrying cases can be conveniently kept together as a storage cabinet.